Electric meter connection appliance



Jan 20, 1942. G. E. PALMER y ELECTRIC METER CONNECTION APPLIANCE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 25, 1958 Jan. 20, 1942. G. E. PALMER ELECTRIC METER CONNECTION APPLIANCE I 3 Sheets-Sheetl 2 Filed Jan. 25, 1938 Jan. 20, 1942. G. E. PALMER ELECTRIC METER CONNECTION APPLIANGE Filed Jan? 25. 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet `3 Patented .an. 20, 1942 UNITED lSTATES Plrrlawrv OFFICE ELECTRIC METER CONNECTION APPLIANCE Granville E. Palmer, Cambridge, Mass., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvaniar Application January 25, 1938,`Serial No. 186,791

13 Claims. (Cl. 175-224) This invention relates particularly to an electric meter connection appliance which includes a connection device adapted to be mounted in a trough or box with which it is associated and adapted to detachably support a, meter especially designed to be secured thereto.

In an appliance of this character as heretofore made and used, the terminals for the attachment of the longitudinal bussing wires are carried directly by a connection device, which in turn is carried by the removable front cover. As a result of this arrangement, it is necessary to connect the bussing or circuit wires to their respective terminals after the connection device and the cover are `in place, and such connection of the housing wires is very diflicult and troublesome by reason of the lack of suicient working space.

In accordance with the present invention, the terminals for connection with the bussing wires are mounted on an insulating block in fixed position in the box and the meter connection device at the front is detachably connected with the terminals on the block. This permits the bussing wires to be connected to their respective terminals before the front cover and the connection device are put in place, thus allowing ample working space for making the desired connections.

The invention also includes improved connecting or bridging means between conductors on the insulating block and on the meter connection device, said bridging means being actuable to move positively into and out of electrical connection with the conductor on the insulating block and to eiect a tight electrical connection with the conductor on the block as well as with the conductor on the meter connection device.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the embodiments thereof hereinafter described and illustrated on the drawings of which Figure 1 is a front view of a trough or box'embOdying the invention, the detachable meter being omitted.

Figure 2 is a :section on the line 2-2 of Figtogether with a meter adapted to be mounted thereon.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary front view of a box or trough containing a modied form of the invention.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a U-shaped member shown in Figure 9.

dFigure 11 is a section on the line H-II of Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a section on the line I2-I2of Figure 11.

Referring to the drawings, l0 represents a housing comprising a box or trough adapted for containing service or bussing wires and also load wires. The housing Ill may be a trough adapted for cooperation with two or more meters or it may be a shorter unit with side walls at the ends and adapted for cooperating with only a single meter. As shown, it may be assumed that the trough is adapted for at least three meters, but the parts associated with only a single meter are shown, with the exception of the extra service wire terminals.

The ytrough I6 is provided with a top wall l2, a rear wall H and a bottom wall 16. At the front is a removable cover which, as indicated in Figure 1, may consist of a number of panels or sections adapted to be secured in place by any convenient means preferably inaccessible when the trough is completely assembled with one or more meters.

Two kinds of panels are shown, namely, blank panels I8 and an apertured panel 20 for supporting a meter. These two kinds can be selectively and interchangeably employed according to the desired number and location of meters to be mounted on the trough. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the panel 2B has a circular aperture 24 surrounded by a circular rim or ring 26 to `which a meter is adapted to be secured. This ring is shown as integral with the pane1-20, but, if desired, it maybe permanently secured thereto. Carried by the ring 26 is a transverse member 30 on which is mounted a block of insulating material 32 by means of screws 3l which are threaded into holes 3| in the member 30. This block carries a pair of clips 35 and 36 adapted to be engaged by conductor blades 36 projecting rearward from the meter 40 (Figure 8). Also mounted on the transverse member 30 is a rigid conductor or bracket 42 which carries a terminal Il for a load wire connection and a third clip M engageable byl a meter blade when the meter is in position on the ring` 26. The arrangement of parts illustrated in Figure 1 is for a two-wire system, the current to the load circuit passing Afrom the clip 36 to the clip `35 through the meter, the third clip I4 providing the connection for potential across the service wires. In order to make the device adaptable for use in a three-wire circuit, the transverse member I is provided with a pair of threaded holes 45 for the attachment of a second insulating block similar to the block 32, the meter in such case having four blades instead of three. The clip 39 is mounted with a rigid conductor 40 or contact element on the block I2. 'I'he clip Il is mounted with a conductor 41 on the block 02. The conductor 41 extends through a disconnect device 48 to a terminal 49 for a load wire. The device 40 may be exposed by swinging back a hinged lockable cover I0 so that the load circuit can be opened without removal of the meter.

Mounted in a fixed position in the box and preferably on the rear wall thereof is an insulating block Conductors or brackets 52 and 04 are secured to the block 9| and are electrically connected respectively with terminals 54 and 58 adapted for connection with respective bussing or circuit wires 0I and l2. The conductors 42 and 40 are formed and positioned so as to engage respectively the conductors 52 and 54 when the meter-supporting panel 20 and the elements carried thereby are in position. Any suitable means, such as screws 94 and which extend loosely through the conductors 42 and 46 and are threaded into conductors 52 and 54, may be employed to prem these conductors rmly together when in use. As shown in Figure 1, these screws are readily accessible when the panel 2l is in place but the meter is not in place.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that the bussing or circuit wires can be installed in the trough and readily connected to their respective terminals when the front cover is oil, permitting free access to the interior of the trough. After the circuit wires have been installed and connected as shown, the front cover can be put in place, as shown in Figure 1, the conductors 40 and 42 coming into engagement respectively with the conductors l2 and I4 on the rear block 5|. I'he screws I4 and 00 may then be inserted through the holes in the conductors 49 and 42 and screwed into the threaded holes in the conductors l2 and 54, these screws being readily accessible through the aperture 24. The meter 40 can then be put in position so that its blades engage the clips ll. 30 and 44. The meter is then locked in position by any suitable means, such means being well known in the art, closing the box or trough completely so that the apparatus therein is entirely concealed and inaccessible.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 9 to 12 inclusive, a meter trough or housing 10 is provided with a front cover 12 which is secured thereto by any suitable means and which has a circular opening 'I4 surrounded byametal ring 1l. Thisringisadaptedtobe engaged by a meter and is attached to or integral with the cover 12. Secured to the ring is a transverse supporting member 1l to which is secured a pair of insulating blocks Il and l2, these blocks being located near the front of the trough. A rear insulating block I4 is mounted in fixed position within the trough, preferably on the rear wall thereof. Mounted on each of the blocks Il and 02 are a pair of clips It and associated condoctors Il connected therewith, the clips Il being engageable by connecting blades of `a meter. Mounted on the rear insulating block 04 are a number of conductors Il each of which includes or is connected to a pair of forwardly projecting parallel laws 92 and I4, the forward end portions of which are preferably bent away from each other as indicated in Figure 1l. A bridging or connecting device is provided to connect and disconnect each conductor 88 with its corresponding pairs of jaws 92 and 94. Each bridging or connecting device may comprise a screw 9B threaded through an aperture in the conductor 00. The screw also passes loosely through a hole in a U-shaped member |00 having a pair of parallel legs the end portions of which are inclined toward each other as at |02. At the rear end of the screw 96 is loosely mounted a. wedging element |04 which may consist of a rectangular element of metal or other suitably hard material having rounded or chamfered side edges adapted to engage the inclined end portions |02 of the U-shaped member |00. spaced from the end portions |02 are one or more lugs |09 engageable by the wedging member |04 when it is moved away from the inclined end portions |02. 'I'he legs of the U-shaped member |00 are parallel and are spaced apart so as to fit between the jaws l2 and 94 when the U-shaped member |00 is moved rearwardly by rotation of the screw 99. Figure 11 illustrates two of the members |00 in different positions, the position shown at the left being that in which the conductors are disconnected and the position at the right being that at which the conductors are connected by the member |00. When the screw 9B is rotated in one direction, the element |04 moves into engagement with the end portions |02 and then pushes the member |00 toward the rear into engagement between the jaws 92 and 94. When the member |00 has reached its rear position, continued advance of the screw and element |04 toward the rear wedges the legs oi the member |90 away from each other so that they press strongly against the jaws 92 and 94, thus making a good electrical connection between these members.

Reverse rotation of the screw 96 backs the wedging element |04 away from the inclined portions I02, thus relieving the pressure of the legs of the member |00 against the jaws 92 and 04. Further movement of the screw 90 brings the wedging element |04 in contact with the lugs |00, whereupon the member |09 is moved positively forward with the screw 99 until it is entirely clear of the jaws 92 and 94. Thus the electrical connection between the conductor Il and its corresponding jaws 92 and 94 is positively broken but can be re-made by rotating the screw 90 in such direction as to move it again toward the rear.

It is evident that various changes and modifications may be made in the embodiments of the invention herein shown and described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

l. In a device of the class described, the combination of a trough or Ibox adapted for containing bussing or circuit wires, means normally ciosing completely the frontof said box, said means including a front wall having a large opening therethrough and a meter having rearward extending blades, an insulating block in fixed position in the box, conductors mounted thereon, terminals electrically connected with the conductors on said block and connectlble with respective bussing or circuit wires, and detachably mounted meter connection means including a plurality of clips normally engaged with said meter blades and rigid conductors positioned to engage the conductors on said block when said connection means is in place, the said conductors being visible and accessible through said opening when the'meter is not in place and the said conductors being entirely concealed and inaccessible when the meter is-in place.

the detachable connection device, the said meter normally serving in conjunction with the connection device to entirely close the opening `in the front wall of the box, and two rigid cone ductors on the detachable connection device formed and positioned to engage the respective conductors on the block when the connection device is in place, the said conductors being visible and accessible through the opening in the con-v nection device when the meter is not in place and the said conductors being entirely concealed g and inaccessible when the meter is in place.

means including a i'ront block of insulating mai terial secured to said front wall, a clip on said front blockl engaged by a meter blade when the meter is in position covering said aperture, a conductor mounted on said iront block and connected to said clip, and a bridging device movable to connect and disconnect said jaws and. said conductor, said bridging device comprising-a U- shapedv element with substantially parallel legs spaced to fit between said jaws ami with end portions inclined toward each other, a screw threaded through said conductor, a wedging element movable by rotation of said screw to press against:V said inclined portions of said legs to move said U-shaped element rearward into a position between said jaws and then to press said legs laterally against said jaws, and lugs on said legs engageable by said wedging elementr when the' screw is rotated in the opposite direction to retra-ct said U-shaped element from said jaws.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a trough or box adapted for containing bussing or circuit Wires and having a large opening in the front wall thereof, an insulating block in iixed position in the box and having conductors thereon, terminals electrically connected with the conductorseon the block and connectible with the respective bussing or circuit wires, a meter connection device detachably mounted at the opening in the front wall of the box and having a large opening therethrough from front to rear, a meter having rearward projecting terminals or blades normally detachably engaged with clips forming a part of the connection device, the said meter normally serving in conjunction with the connection device to entirely close the opening in the front wall of the 5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a trough or box adapted for containing bussing or circuit wires and having a large opening in the front wall thereof, an insulating block in ilxed position in the box and having conductors thereon, terminals electrically con- I nected with the conductors on the block and connectible with the respective bussing or circuit wires, a meter connection device detachably mounted at the opening in the iront wall of the box and having a large opening therethrough from front to rear, a meter having rearwardprojecting terminals or blades normally detachably kengagedvrith .clipsiorming part o'f the vconnection' device, the said meter normally in conjunction with the connection device Eto entirely close the opening in the front-Walibi the box, two rigid conductors on the detachable connection device formed and positionedi'lo engage the respective conductors on the blockI when the connection device is in place, and means" for rigidly connecting the conductors on .the'-connec-l tion device with the conductors on thblock, the said means being visible and accessible through lthe opening in the connection device when the meter is not in place and the said conductors being entirely concealed and inaccessible when the meter is in place. W

6. In amounting for an electric meter ofthe type having a plurality of rearwardly-projecting, current-conducting prongs, the combination of a housing having an opening at the front, a rebox, and two rigid conductors on the detachable the connection device is in place, the said con.

ductors being visible and accessible through the opening in the connection device when the meter is not in place and the said conductors being entirely concealed and inaccessible when the meter is in place.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a trough or box adapted for containing bussing or circuit wires and having a large opening in the front wall thereof, an insulating block in iixed position in the box and having conductors thereon, terminals electrically connected with the conductors on the block and connectible with the respective bussing or circuit wires, a meter connection device mounted on the front wall oi the box at the opening therein and detachable independently of the front. wall, the said connection device having a large opening therethrough from iront to rear, a `ineter having rearward projecting terminals or blades normally movable cover for said opening, said cover having an opening, an insulating block in ilxed position within said housing, terminals on said block for the attachment of conductors, prongreceiving jaws carried by said removable cover, and rigid conductors carried by said cover attached to said jaws, respectively, and normally engaging said terminals on said block.

7. In a mounting for an electric meter of the plug-in type provided with rearwardly projecting, current-conducting blades, the combination of a housing having top and bottom,` and front and rear walls, at least a part of saidfront wall being removable to afford access to tlie'interior of said housing, said front wall havin'sf'aii opening to be closed by the meter and to `adirii't the meter blades to the interior oi said @housing current-conducting jaws within said housing to receive at least certain of. said blades, said jaws being carried by said removable part of said front wall, an insulating block mounted in tlxed position within said housing independently of said removable part of said front wall so as to remain within said housing when said cover is removed, terminals supported by said insulating block, current conductors secured to said terminals, respectively, rigidly positioned conductors attached to said terminals, respectively, rigidly positioned conductors attached 'to said respectively, and carried by and removable with said part oi' said front wall. and means aording readily attachable connections between the nrst and second-named rigidly positioned conductors, respectively, said rigidry positioned conductors being positioned substantially adjacent each other when said part of said i'ront wall is in attached position.

8. In a mounting for an electric meter of the type having a plurality of rearwardly-projecting, current-conducting prongs, the combination of an enclosure having a removable cover provided with a meter-receiving aperture; current-conducting prong-receiving Jaws carried by and removable with said cover; an. insulating base mounted within said enclosure independently of said removable cover so that said cover can be removed without removing said base; connectors nectors, respectively, and supported by said base; and rigid conductors electrically connected to said Jaws, respectively, and carried by and removable with said cover; the last-mentioned rigid conductors being superimposed upon the tirst-meniioned conductors and separable therefrom by movement in a direction lengthwise oi' said prongs.

In a mounting for a meter of the plug-in having a plurality of rearwardly-projecting, current-conducting prongs, the combination of said housing; insulating means supported in part, at least, in ilxed position within said housposition; current-conducting, prong-receiving Ilaws within said housing positioned to receive meter prongs as aplug-in meter is mounted over said aperture, at least certain of said jaws being a part of said insulating means; detachable rigid fastening means attaching at least certain oi' said jaws to at least certain of said terminals; and means attaching the last named oi' said Jaws to said cover for removal therewith.

l0. In a mounting for a meter of the plug-in type having a plurality of rearwardly-projecting,

means; current-conducting, prong-receiving Jaws within said housing positioned to receive meter prongs as a plug-in meter is mounted over said aperture, at least certain of said jaws being supported by at least a of said Jaws to said transverse member for movement therewith.

11. In a mounting for an electric meter of the plug-in carried by cover, ilxed, shape-retaining conductors secured tosaid terminals, respectively, movable shape-retaining terminals carried by said cover and secure said movable terminals to said fixed conductors.

12. In combination, a detachable electrical instrument having rst contact members, a housresponse to movement oi' said cover tive to said base portion.

13. A mounting for a detachable electric meter GRANVILLE E. PALMER. 

